The under-investigated wild side of Escherichia coli: Genetic diversity, pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance in wild animals
Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 2021
We assess the current understanding of E. coli in wild animals through a scoping literature review encompassing the body of work on E. coli in wild animal hosts comprising just 93 studies after explicitly excluding those considering domesticated animals, pets, livestock and captive zoo animals, which have been more studied for pathogenic E. coli. We identify three major gaps: (i) within the existing studies themselves (ii) in the geographic locations of studies to date and (iii) in the wild animal host species investigated. Addressing these gaps will prove essential for global human health and the preservation of many ecosystem services of high economic value.
Recommended citation: Lagerstrom, K. M. and Hadly, E. A. 2021. The under-investigated wild side of Escherichia coli: Genetic diversity, pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance in wild animals. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 288(1948); 20210399. http://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.0399
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